In a TV interview on the Bulgarian TV channel 'b tv', Zoran Zaev, the Prime Minister-designate of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) was answering questions on how neighboring countries reacted to his electoral win and if Bulgaria interfered in the elections.

His response was "we are a brotherly people, we are the same people and I am very glad that all political parties from Bulgaria sent friendly messages."

Unlike his predecessor Nikola Gruevski, the politics of 'open doors' towards Bulgaria seem to be a part of Zaev's worldview.

English subtitles: Vladislav Perunovic, Skopje, FYROM

​In Bulgaria, Zoran Zaev's statement was seen as a positive gesture after decades of anti-Bulgarian sentiments in the FYROM. Prof. Bozhidar Dimitrov, the Director of the National History Museum in Sofia stated on Focus News Agency:

“I expected that this would happen sooner or later. Zaev is a functioning Macedonian [sic] politician, who is saying that there is no difference between Bulgarians and Macedonians [sic]. I hope this is a sign that Macedonian [sic] politicians are finding the courage to admit this; they have done so in private conversations with me but not publicly,” Prof. Dimitrov explained.

“Unfortunately, these confessions happen at a time of accelerated albanisation of Macedonia [sic] with larger territories getting settled by the growing Albanian population and political parties putting high demands on their potential Macedonian [sic] partners. The statement is accurate and historically true,” he added.

Sources: Macedonia Forever Greek, Focus News Agency

I strongly condemn last Thursday's attacks on members of Parliament in Skopje. Violence has no place in any parliament. I call on all political actors to show calm, restraint, and respect for the democratic process. Political dialogue is the only reasonable and appropriate way forward, and is in the best interest of all citizens of the country.

A majority of members of Parliament have elected a new speaker of Parliament.  This is a positive step in resolving the ongoing political impasse. The democratic process must be respected.

​The authorities have a solemn responsibility to uphold the rule of law, and ensure the security of Parliament and its members at all times. Acts of violence like those we saw yesterday must not be allowed to happen again.

​Source: NATO

Political chaos has unfolded in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) as hundreds of demonstrators stormed Parliament on Thursday and attacked lawmakers to protest the election of a new speaker.

Most protestors were supporters of the former Prime Minister nationalist Nikola Gruevski whose party didn’t have the numbers to form government after the recent December elections.

More than 77 people were injured during the violent demonstrations, including police officers and the leader of the opposition Zoran Zaev.

Greece has expressed concern over the political instability in the neighbouring country which finds itself in internal conflict with its large ethnic Albanian population which has demanded Albania be recognised as the second official language.

“It is with sorrow and concern that we see FYROM backsliding into deep political crisis. A crisis that – if it is to be dealt with – requires that the involved parties show respect for the principles of democracy, legality and the rule of law. Respect – as we have requested for years now – for the culture of compromise and consensus. In the absence of these principles, impasses and volatile situations are created.
​
“Greece, which has long supported the principle of non-intervention in the domestic affairs of neighbouring countries, stands ready, whenever asked to do so, to contribute to the de-escalation of the crisis based on the principles of international law and respect for the independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of FYROM,” said a statement from the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Source: Greek City Times

The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) should investigate threats of violence made by 'patriotic associations' that support the right-wing VMRO-DPMNE party’s fight against a proposed new, opposition-led coalition government, warn security experts.

Twenty-two such associations met in the town of Veles last week and formed a joint "Macedonian [sic] National Front". The group pledged to "defend" the country from the new coalition government and demands made by its ethnic Albanian coalition partners.

In a joint statement issued last week the associations said they would support protests against the announced new coalition government using "all available non-violent or violent means to defend the fatherland".

The "patriotic NGOs" pointed to ongoing protests against the proposed opposition-led government to justify their stance as respecting "the clearly-stated will of the people as the sole bearer of the sovereignty and statehood of the country".

The threat to use violence has alarmed observers who are concerned the associations could pose a security threat given the already tense political situation in the FYROM.

"The police and the prosecution are obligated to immediately asses these occurrences because we have a call for violence. According to the law, the call for the violent destruction of institutions in itself is a basis for reasonable suspicion for a criminal act," said Ljubomir Gjurceski, a former police chief and security expert.

Blagoja Markovski, a former army spokesperson and security exert, is additionally concerned that some of the 'patriotic association' membership – many of the groups are named after Ottoman-era revolutionaries – appear to work for private security firms and may own weapons.

"Only two state institutions in the FYROM, the police and the army, are allowed to use violent means in defence of the country... If they [the associations] call for violence they are breaching the confines of regular civic associations' activities," Markovski told Telma TV.

Both experts believe that the sudden emergence of 'patriotic associations’ in the past two months is directly linked to the VMRO-DPMNE, which is now faced with the prospect of losing power after eleven years in government. Some top-ranking VMRO-DPMNE officials also face ongoing criminal investigations and trials by the country’s Special Prosecution.

The VMRO-DPMNE is blocking the creation of a new coalition government led by the opposition Social Democrats, SDSM. The VMRO-DPMNE insist the sovereignty of the country is at stake because the SDSM has agreed to a number of demands presented by ethnic Albanian coalition parties, including greater recognition of Albanian as an official language.

The opposition, which just about mustered a majority in parliament thanks to support from the Albanian parties, has repeatedly denied it has accepted any harmful or unconstitutional ultimatums.

The 'patriotic associations' are now increasingly appearing in pro-government media, and are portrayed solely in a positive, uncritical light.

Members of these associations are recognisable to the public because of their pseudo militant 'uniform', which consists of black T-shirts, black or red berets, tattoos and oversized orthodox crosses. Most of these associations use emblems which portray weapons and human skulls and they do not hide the fact that they support the VMRO-DPMNE.

"We will represent the policies of the VMRO-DPMNE, and will support them, as long as they defend the national interests. If they abandon those interests or accept platforms, like the SDSM is doing, we will stand against them as well," Goran Angelov, the leader of one such association from the town of Veles called Andon Kjoseto, said in an interview for Telma TV on Monday.

Angelov, whose comrades regularly appear at peaceful protests against the proposed new opposition-led coalition government, insisted that they are not calling for violence. He accused some media of panic-mongering.

"I personally do not own weapons... We as an association do not possess weapons. Maybe some individuals do have [weapons]... We will continue using non-violent means as we have thus far, unless we are provoked. For example if someone attacks us, it would be normal to defend ourselves," Angelov said.

However, he added that "should the need occurs", they would "lead the people" who are currently protesting in Skopje against the announced SDSM-led government in an attempt to storm the parliament building.

These threats are not new. As parliament is currently being blocked by VMRO DPMNE MPs who are filibustering the election of a new speaker and government, protest organisers have already hinted that should the SDSM attempt to break the blockade, they could take more radical action.

​Source: Balkan Insight | Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN)

​The article, therefore, does not express the stance of the majority of readers of PlusInfo, but the inclusion of Bishop David in the team of the media was a necessity due to both the POA and the SDSM opposing the regime of far-right Nikola Gruevski, which still - through desperate measures - tries to stay in power. Both journalists of PlusInfo and contributors are from the rank of oppressed and persecuted individuals and entities in the central Balkan state.

​The aforementioned discrepancy between the sociological profile of readers of this media and Ninov’s bold statement on the Hellenism of Alexander the Great and his civilizing actions (which, according to Russian Orthodox Cleric, Prof. Andrey Posternak**, paved the way for Christianity) makes it certain that it was not an “ordered” statement, but a personal conclusion by Bishop David that reflects international academic consensus as opposed to the anti-Greek, national-mysticist theories of "Macedonia" promoted by far-right VMRO-DPMNE academics since their creation of the national myth back in 1991 but especially since 2006 when the antiquization program of the FYROM became a fashionable social preoccupation.

The POA, with this highly polarizing and interesting statement, in the context of the regrettable fact that, from both religious, humanistic and sociological perspectives the knowledge about contemporary dynamic Hellenic culture is something virtually unknown to most citizens of the FYROM, promoted truth on a much higher order. Over the years, the POA has done this many times in the media with regard to Greek and Bulgarian history, which garnered the epithet of “predavnička (“treacherous“)” by the political far-right, blended with the rhetoric of high-ranking clerics of the schismatic "Macedonian Orthodox Church" that promotes the bizarre notion of “unbroken linguistic, cultural and biological origin from the Macedonians of Alexander’s era”.

Notes:
*SDSM (Social-democratic Union of FYROM)
** Andrey Posternak’s statement may be seen here.

Members of the European Parliament Eduard Kukan (EPP, SK), Knut Fleckenstein (S&D, DE), Ivo Vajgl (ALDE, SI) and EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, issued the following statement on Tuesday in Skopje on the situation in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia:

"We met today with the representatives of the parliamentary parties. We reiterated very clearly that all leaders of the country, including the President, must now respect the outcome of the recent elections. In a democracy, everyone must acknowledge parliamentary majorities.

We therefore encourage the President to reconsider his position urgently. There is no time to lose. We now expect all political leaders and institutions to let the democratic process run its course – in the interest of the country's citizens. The delays of the past months are already damaging the country´s economy.

We thus call on a swift formation of a new government committed to implement overdue reforms. The parties and the new government are expected to continue implementing all parts of their Przino agreement.

In particular, we urge everyone to refrain from any actions and statements which might fuel inter-ethnic tensions or undermine good neighbourly relations. No one should be tempted to play with fire. We are deeply concerned about tensions and hate speech. The freedom of assembly and the freedom of expression are fundamental rights in democratic societies, but they come with responsibilities.

In the same vein, negative rhetoric targeting the international community and civil society organisations is entirely counterproductive. It undermines the country's standing internationally, and the credibility of those who use it.

​In conclusion, we need to see in the very next days serious and responsible statesmanship by the relevant institutions to enable a swift formation of a new and solid coalition. That is the only way to get back onto the EU path – which is what your citizens want and deserve."

Through its embassy in Washington, D.C., the Foreign Ministry in the 'Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) - has requested a positioning of the US State Department on a declaration made by US Congressman Dana Rohrabacher.

“The Congressman is a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and chairman of the Sub Committee for European Affairs. His declarations cause great concern for Macedonia [sic] and the region. These declarations encourage nationalist rhetoric and they bring us back to the past”, the Foreign Ministry says.

This ministry also says that it is convinced that the US State Department will clarify any dilemma about the stances that have been expressed and that it will affirm its policy towards the FYROM and the Balkans.

​Meanwhile, Dana Rohrabacher said in a televised interview on Vision Plus Albania that “the creation of Macedonia is a failed project and the necessary circumstances must be created to be divided with neighboring countries, including Kosovo and Bulgaria.”

As it pertains to the failed-state situation that the FYROM finds itself in after two decades of independence, the American Hellenic Council succinctly noted today: "for years the 'Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia' has promoted not only anti-Hellenic but anti-Bulgarian and Albanian historical revisionism. As well as outright racist propaganda and territorial ambitions against all its neighbors!"

Expanding on what the American Hellenic Council stated, the Macedonian League feels that a major part of the failure of the former Yugoslav republic stems from Skopje's diaspora lobby groups which, instead of focussing on building a viable society in the multi-ethnic state composed of Albanians, Turks, Roma and the Slav majority, they instead focus on pushing anti-Hellenism via:

• the promotion of pseudo-historical / pseudo-scientific positions on ancient Macedonia both online and in print literature;
• the creation of "ancient Macedonia" in a one square kilometre zone in Skopje, the capital city, by erecting new monumental statues and museums for propagandistic purposes in what was known as the Skopje 2014 project;
• false claims of human rights abuses by Greece (a member of the EU) on an imagined ethnic minority living "under Greek government opppression" and,
• purposeful misinformation especially as it pertains to the 'Macedonian Name Issue' itself.

Sources: Independent Balkan News Agency, Vision Plus Albania, American Hellenic Council

Serbian Byzantinologist, prof. Radivoj Radić, in a 2015 public debate in defense of genuine historiography, criticizes the incessant pseudo-historical attempts being played in Skopje to link the modern-day Slavic population in the 'Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) with populations in Ancient and Byzantine Macedonia during a 2015 public debate in defense of genuine historiography.

Radivoj Radić is a Serbian historian and specialist for Byzantine studies at the University of Belgrade. 

Source: MFG Media

Despite claiming progress on refugee management and a series of secondary issues, Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) Thursday admitted that substantial differences remain in resolving the nearly 25-year name dispute between the two Balkan neighbors.

“There are huge mountains between us,” FYROM Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki said after talks with his Greek counterpart Nikos Kotzias in Athens. “The creation of false expectation is in no one’s interest,” he said.

Poposki said that his government has “the political duty not to agree to just any solution,” adding that any name change would have to be approved in a national referendum.

Kotzias said the two sides were seeking “an honorable compromise that combats irredentism and extremist nationalism on both sides.”

Athens has disputed the Balkan state’s use of the name “Macedonia,” adopted after Skopje declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, arguing it implies territorial claims to Greece’s northern province with the same name. It has in response blocked its neighbor’s EU and NATO ambitions.

The two sides, which have had to work together in dealing with the northbound refugee flow through their common border near Idomeni, in northern Greece, pointed to further cooperation in the area.

“We all need to ensure the safe and humanitarian handling of these people,” said Poposki, adding that “fences cannot be a long-term solution.”

“When there is a full system for correct registration, we won’t need to put up obstacles,” said Poposki, who also met with Alternate Citizens’ Protection Minister Nikos Toskas.
​
Stressing that Greece is the biggest investor in FYROM, Kotzias hailed the success of confidence-building measures between the two countries which are being developed in a wide range of sectors including the economy, culture and education.

--

​(c) 2015 Ekathimerini

The new archaeological museum in Skopje, FYROM, inaugurated by the country's Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski on Saturday, includes wax figures of Greek general Alexander the Great and his father Philip II.

The life-size figures were made in Russia and will be presented alongside those of Byzantine Emperor Justinian, Perseus, the legendary founder of Mycenae and Czar Samuel. 

"All these artifacts are invaluable for our country. They mark our culture tirelessly conserving our past and in the most beautiful way possible affirm Macedonia. Such cultural heritage represents one of the foundations of sustainable development and can be a useful tool to encourage intercultural dialogue and promoting social cohesion as well as shaping of our identity as a people and country," Gruevski said in a speech.

The prime minister said investing in cultural heritage contributes to economic growth atrracting tourism.

"I believe that the contents and the value of the museum as well as its location in one of the most impressive buildings by the main square and along the River Vardar will be an incentive for the museum to be visited by many domestic and foreign guests. It will undoubtedly be a great addition to the tourist offer of Skopje and Macedonia," he added.  

Gruevski, who was joined by Culture Minister Elisabeta Kanceska-Milevska, also said the next step is the opening of the museum of the "Macedonian refugees from the Greek Civil War." 

The displays also include 83 paintings, video-animations, ambience displays, mosaics, reconstruction of neolith buildings. 

The new museum holds more than 6,000 artifacts from all historic periods, beginning from prehistoric times up to the Middle Ages, displayed at 6,000 sqm over three floors. 

According to the ministry of culture, the construction cost 27 million euros.

Note by the Macedonian League: this latest provocation is in violation of the Interim Accord.  

Source:
Enikos

The American diplomat will first propose the name to Athens, before put the pressure on Skopje.

According to a report in the Skopje-based Sloboden Pecat newspaper, American diplomat Matthew Nimetz, the UN’s special representative and mediator in the FYROM naming dispute with Greece, is about to submit a new proposal.

The newspaper cites “well-informed sources” claiming that Mr. Nimetz will suggest the name “Republic of Upper Macedonia” for the former Yugoslav country, while the domestic language would be referred to as “Macedonian” and the citizens as “people of Upper Macedonia”.

The report also stresses that FYROM’s constitution would not change, meaning that the international name would not be used domestically. Skopje appears to be pleased with its language being referred to as “Macedonian”, but is troubled by the “people of Upper Macedonia” name. Mr. Nimetz is said to present his latest proposal first to Greece, before pressuring the FYROM government into an agreement.

Another Skopje-based newspaper, Utrinski Vesnik, has also reported that Mr. Nimetz had taken the initiative to resume negotiations between Greece and FYROM in October, however this has been postponed, giving the impression that neither side is in a rush. Rumors suggest that efforts may unofficially be made prior to the EU summit in December.

Source:
To Vima International

United Nations mediator Matthew Nimetz is due to submit soon a new name proposal aimed at settling the dispute between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), which will see the neighboring country called Republic of Upper Macedonia, according to reports in Skopje.

The reports, which are unconfirmed, suggest that the country's residents will be termed «Citizens of Upper Macedonia."

The Greek Foreign Ministry said that neither it, nor the Greek negotiator for the name issue Adamantios Vassilakis, have been informed of any specific proposal.

Nimetz last visited Athens and Skopje in July, when he appeared hopeful of striking on a solution that would be acceptable for both sides.

“Given the fact that there is a common desire to solve the issue and some ideas floating around that may be the basis for some solution, I do think that this is an issue that will get resolved,” Nimetz said at the time.

“Exactly when I cannot say,” he added.

Commissioner Štefan Füle’s plan to focus on strengthening democratic institutions and public administration in EU accession candidate and potential candidate countries was welcomed by Foreign Affairs Committee MEPs on Wednesday. In a debate following the Commission’s approval of the 2014 EU enlargement package earlier the same day, many also stressed the need to communicate the concrete and visible results of the EU enlargement process better.

The 2014 enlargement package focuses on the “third pillar”, i.e. “public administration reform and strengthening of democratic institutions”, following the rule of law and economic governance, Mr Füle told MEPs. He also underlined that “constructive and sustainable dialogue across the political spectrum” within would-be EU member states was vital and that boycotting parliaments “cannot lead to sustainable solutions of problems”.

MEPs across the board thanked Mr Füle for the work done during his five year tenure.

Excerpt regrading EU accession for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia:

“The major problem of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia remains the name issue”, said rapporteur Ivo Vajgl (ALDE, SI). He regretted that negotiations with the FYROM had yet to be opened, arguing that “this is also a reason why the political trend in the country is not going in the direction we would have liked.” Reform of the judicial system, media freedom and the Parliament’s political culture are among other challenges the country faces, he added.

Source:
European Parliament News

A court in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) on Monday sentenced 18 people, including former intelligence employees, to jail for up to 15 years for spying for foreign countries.

Judge Gojko Ristov said evidence presented during the trial, the first of its kind in FYROM, proved the suspects guilt. The countries they allegedly spied for were not named.

The prime suspect Marjan Efremov, a former employee of the FYROM secret services, got 15 years in jail, while Goran Stojkov, a former police general, was handed down a nine-year prison term.

The others include interior ministry and parliament officials.

The court said the alleged spy ring was formed in 2009 and was active until 2012.

But local media reports said the members of the group were selling classified information to the intelligence services of Greece and Hungary.

The accused were arrested in September last year. [AFP]


Source:
Ekathimerini

It is up to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) to make the “next steps” needed to solve its name dispute with Greece, said Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos after meeting his counterpart from the neighboring country, Nikola Poposki, in New York late on Friday.

Sources said that during the meeting Venizelos impressed upon Poposki that Skopje should show it is ready to compromise and not expect any initiatives from Greece or other European Union members. The Greek foreign minister said Athens is keen for the new round of talks between the two sides, mediated by Matthew Nimetz of the United Nations, to begin as soon as possible.

Speaking to FYROM media, Poposki described Greece as having “little interest” in solving the name dispute at the moment.

The two men also discussed energy issues, with Poposki asking Venizelos to confirm that Greece is willing to agree to connect the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), which will carry Azeri natural gas to Italy, with FYROM’s energy network.

Venizelos said Athens is willing to do so and talks on this matter can progress regardless of where talks on the name issue stand.

The vice president of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia’s (FYROM) Parliament, Antonio Milososki, has published a picture of himself and members of a group of climbers from Greece’s neighboring country holding a flag bearing the Vergina Sun after climbing Mount Olympus.

Former foreign minister Milošoski published the picture taken on Olympus’s highest peak – Mytikas – on his Twitter account on Sunday.

FYROM used the Vergina Sun, a symbol discovered at the tomb of Philip II at the archaeological site of Aigai (modern day Vergina in northern Greece), on its national flag between 1991 and 1995 but agreed under the terms of the 1995 interim accord with Greece to stop doing so.

“Upon entry into force of this Interim Accord, the Party of the Second Part shall cease to use in any way the symbol in all its forms displayed on its national flag prior to such entry into force,” states Paragraph 2 of Article 7 of the agreement.

Milososki told FYROM newspaper Vest that the flag he displayed was a “historic Macedonian symbol.”

“I always carried the flag with the 16-pointed Macedonian sun with me,” said the politician. “Another member of the climbing group had the state flag with them. So we raised both flags at the peak of Mount Olympus and we took photographs with great satisfaction.”

The Greek government described Milososki's actions as a "provocation." The Vergina Star was designated a Greek national symbol by the country's Parliament in 1993.

"We thank Mr Milososki for visiting our country so he could be photographed within Greece, with a Greek national symbol," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Constantinos Koutras.

"We would not encourage him to do the same as this would result in yet another breach of the Interim Accord and the Memorandum on Practical Measures. Provocations may justify Greek positions against all forms of irredentism but they do not help anyone, certainly not FYROM and its people."


Source:
Ekathimerini

A politically sensitive festival is taking place in a remote village in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia which is organized and sponsored by the local VMRO-DPMNE government. 

Residents of Vevcani use their pagan celebration to publicly vent their anti-Hellenic sentiments by staging events like mock funerals of the Hellenic Republic, the burning of the Greek flag and the singing of racist, anti-Greek songs.

From the video screen shot below, Greece is intentionally referred to by the Arabic term "Yunanistan" written in English as a racial slur and Hellas spelled Hell-Ass.

Source:
Euronews

Greece has warned Macedonia [sic] that its hopes of joining Nato could be damaged by a poster which has appeared in the Macedonian [sic] capital Skopje.

The poster, advertising a private art exhibition, features the Greek flag with the cross replaced by a swastika.

Greece has already threatened to veto Macedonia's [sic] Nato bid if a dispute about the name "Macedonia" is not resolved.

The Macedonian [sic] government expressed regret over the poster, after Greece made an official diplomatic complaint.

The Greek ambassador to Washington, Alexandros Mallias, complained about the poster in a letter to President George Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Jewish organisations in the US.

"The picture of the Greek flag defaced by the Nazi swastika replacing the cross is deeply offensive and insulting to the patriots and heroes, Greeks and Americans alike, who gave their lives fighting Nazism and Fascism during World War II," he wrote.

In an interview with the Associated Press, Mr Mallias said the poster was "the product of the aggressive and hostile propaganda that the government in Skopje has been propagating in Greece."

"Can you imagine a country that aspires to be a Nato member in 48 hours tolerating such propaganda?" he went on.

Nato is due to decide on Macedonia's [sic] membership bid on Thursday at the summit in Bucharest.
Greece has previously said it would veto membership, if the two countries fail to resolve a dispute over the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's name.

Greece argues that use of the name "Macedonia" implies territorial claims on the adjoining Greek province of the same name - but Skopje rejects the argument.

The Macedonian [sic] government disassociated itself from the poster, but said it would not meddle with freedom of expression. 


Source:
BBC news